Junior Gaeltacht Minister Jack Chambers has approved two more language plans in Donegal, one covering the north of the county, the other covering the Gaeltacht Lar.
Minister Chambers also announced further grants for the development of the arts in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
During his visit to the county, Minister Chambers announced the official launch of the North Donegal Language Plan under the language planning process.
He also confirmed that he is approving the Gaeltacht Lár Language Plan.
An annual budget of up to €100,000 each will be made available to both lead organisations over the seven year life of the plan, with the employment of one Language Planning Officer provided for.
Minister Chambers also announced a grant of up to €150,000 for Ealaín (Aileen) na Gaeltachta to develop a pilot drama programme for young people in the Gaeltacht.
This builds on a €1.27 million allocation announced in 2019 for a three year project to develop language-based arts in the Gaeltacht.
He also visited Downings, and the Business Park in Gweedore.
- Grant of up to €150,000 approved for Ealaín na Gaeltachta to develop a pilot drama programme for young people in the Gaeltacht
- North Donegal Language Planning Area Language Plan officially launched
- Gaeltacht Lár Language Planning Area Language Plan approved
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport Jack Chambers will tour North Donegal today, the 18th of November.
During the trip, the Minister of State will visit Coláiste Ros Goill, Na Dúnaibh and he will announce the official launch of the North Donegal Language Plan under the language planning process. Céim Aniar CTR is the leading language planning organisation responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan for the Area.
The Minister of State will also announce that he is approving the Gaeltacht Lár Language Plan under the language planning process. Gleann Fhinne Cuideachta faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta is the leading language planning organisation responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan for the Area.
An annual budget of up to €100,000 each will be made available to both lead organisations over the 7 year life of the plan and the employment of one Language Planning Officer will be provided for.
Minister of State Chambers said;
“I am delighted with the progress made to date in the language planning process. The approval of the An Ghaeltacht Lár language plan, the 25th plan under the process, is a major step forward. Well done to the lead organisation “Gleann Fhinne Cuideachta faoi theorainn Ráthaíochta” which prepared the language plan for An Ghaeltacht Lár. Congratulations to Póilín Ó Ghallachóir, the newly appointed Language Planning Officer for the North Donegal area, I wish her every success in implementing the North Donegal language plan that I have officially launched today.”
As for Ealaín na Gaeltachta, on a visit to Gteic in Gaoth Dobhair, the Minister of State announced a grant of up to €150,000 for Ealaín na Gaeltachta to develop a pilot drama programme for young people in the Gaeltacht. This grant will enable for a period of one year;
· Employment of a co-ordinator to develop the drama programme,
· Provision of 700 hours of tuition in Irish language drama which will benefit approximately 230 school pupils in the Gaeltacht, and
· Examination of best practice nationally and internationally for strategic planning to address identified gaps and weaknesses.
This specific funding complements the €1.275m three-year allocation approved for the organisation in 2019 to implement a programme for the benefit of the language-based arts in the Gaeltacht in support of both the language planning process and the policy for Gaeltacht education. Under this programme, additional language acquisition and enrichment opportunities are provided for Gaeltacht youth.
Announcing the grant, Minister of State Chambers said:
I am delighted to announce this pilot programme today – a programme that will provide an additional platform for Irish language drama to the young people of the Gaeltacht. During the pandemic, many services moved to a blended approach of personal and online services for young people. This funding will help to strengthen and develop this infrastructure, ensuring that high quality drama is made available to the Irish language community. The arts are also important in supporting the mental well-being of our young people and I am delighted that this fund will support activities that will enhance the quality of life and positive well-being of young people in the Gaeltacht.
Minister of State Chambers will also visit Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair, where he will get a taste of the work of the Acadamh in the Donegal Gaeltacht. The Minister of State recently announced a three-year fund of up to €3m to enable Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge to continue to provide a range of courses through the medium of Irish in the three Gaeltacht centres – in Gaoth Dobhair, Carna and An Cheathrú Rua.
